The overall goal of this study is to understand opioid use, suicide and social network characteristics by analyzing social networks of Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux parents/caregivers. This supplement, together with the parent R01, addresses a critical gap in knowledge about the intersection of substance use, social networks, and intervention science for American Indians. The study aims to: 1) Explore how the social network characteristics of parents/adult caregivers are related to both risk for and protection from suicide and opioid use, 2) Examine the impact of the Wa'Kan Ye'Zah family-based prevention program on the social networks of American Indian parents/adult caregivers, and 3) Determine whether program effects on social networks mediate effects on suicide and opioid among parents/caregivers. We will analyze social networks of Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux parents/caregivers to further understand the risk and protective factors for opioid and other substance use and suicide behavior and how social networks influence risk and resilience. This supplement addresses several key activities that fall within the scope of the parent R01 including support for exploring the effectiveness of community health worker delivered Wa'Kan Ye'Zah on caregiver and child behavioral and mental health outcomes and assessing the benefits of culturally enhancing the intervention for caregivers' well-being. The study plan is situated within a well-established trust relationship with tribal communities, innovative formative research that led to this proposal, and an experienced, multidiscipline study team led by an Indigenous PI.
High rates of opioid and other substance use in rural and remote Native American communities increases risk for suicide. We will analyze social networks of Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux parents/caregivers to further understand the process for risk and protection for opioid and other substance use and suicide behavior and how social networks influence risk and resilience.
